Split, Croatia is a city where Roman architecture, medieval churches, and vibrant waterfront promenades combine to create an unforgettable walking experience. From the grand Peristyle Square at the heart of Diocletian’s Palace to the scenic Riva along the Adriatic Sea, Split’s top sights are compact, easily walkable, and rich with history.

We spent the entire month of November visiting Split’s most iconic landmarks and compiled this guide to the 29 best things to see—including architectural highlights like the Cathedral of St. Domnius, the Venetian Tower, and the bustling People’s Square.

If you’re short on time, follow our Split Walking Tour itinerary to see all the top attractions in under an hour, covering less than a mile of walking through the Old Town’s pedestrian streets.

This website contains affiliate links that may earn us a small commission at no additional cost to you.

The Split Peristyle (Peristil) is a beautiful square in the eastern part of Diocletian’s Palace. This square is surrounded by the Cathedral of St. Domnius and the entrance to the palace’s basement. You can find two well-preserved Egyptian sphinxes, which are over 3000 years old, near the entrance to the Cathedral.

Address: 21000 Trg Peristil BB, 21000, Split, Croatia

The Cathedral of Saint Domnius, also known as Sveti Dujam or Sveti Duje, is a Catholic cathedral in Split, Croatia. The mausoleum of Emperor Diocletian was built in the early 4th century as one of the four temples of the Imperial Palace. Later, in the 7th century, bishop John of Ravenna transformed Diocletian’s mausoleum into a cathedral known as the Cathedral of Sveti Dujam. The cathedral’s bell tower was constructed in the Gothic style during the 14th century.

The Cathedral of St. Domnius is an exceptional piece of architecture that dates back to the reign of Emperor Diocletian. Initially, Diocletian intended to build his mausoleum on the site where the cathedral stands today, but the building’s history took a different course. The bones of Christian martyrs who were persecuted by Diocletian, including St. Domnius, were brought into the building, and it became the Split Cathedral.

Address: Ul. Kraj Svetog Duje 3, 21000, Split, Croatia.

Riva is a waterfront promenade located near the Diocletian’s Palace. It is a popular place for holding important political, social, and entertainment events and is highly cherished by locals.

During the French rule, Riva acquired its current look in the early 19th century. It was expanded and given a gravel surface, and several houses bearing some unique architectural features from that period were built. Some of these historic houses have been well-maintained and preserved up to the present time.

Address: 21.000, Split, Croatia

The Cellars of Diocletian’s Palace, which are also known as the “basement halls,” are a series of underground structures located in the southern part of Diocletian’s Palace. They were originally built to support Emperor Diocletian’s private quarters and are considered one of the most well-preserved ancient complexes of its kind in the world.

The basement halls consist of 60 rooms that reflect the floor plan of the buildings above. Initially, they were used for storage and to raise the imperial residence above ground level. In the early Middle Ages, some parts of the halls were inhabited, but later on, the residences were removed during reconstruction.

Although the basement halls were mostly buried and inaccessible, they were cleared and opened to the public in the 1950s and 1960s. The restoration of the eastern wing was completed in 1995. Today, visitors can enter the basement halls from the seafront promenade or via stairs from the peristyle. It is a popular historical attraction that hosts various events, including art exhibitions, theatre performances, and gastronomic fairs.

The basement halls have also gained fame as a filming location for the popular series “Game of Thrones.” Fans can identify it as the setting for Meereen, Queen Daenerys Stormborn, and her dragons.

Address: Ul. Iza Vestibula 3, 21000, Split, Croatia

The Vestibule, also known as The Rotonda or The Atrium, is the first section of the imperial corridor in Diocletian’s Palace that once led from the Peristyle to the imperial apartments.

Address: Ul. Iza Vestibula 1, 21000, Split, Croatia

The Golden Gate (Zlatna Vrata) was the main entrance to the Palace. It was elaborately decorated with statues of Emperor Diocletian and his co-regent Maximilian in the upper row of the niches. A sculpture of an eagle, symbolizing Jupiter, was placed between the two statues. The lower row of niches contained the statues of their successors to the throne – Caesars Galerius and Constantine. Although some niches in the wall are missing statues, the Golden Gate is still well preserved.

Address: Dioklecijanova 7, 21000, Split, Croatia

The Large Papalic Palace is a magnificent gothic-renaissance masterpiece constructed by Juraj Dalmatinac. It is situated next to the Golden Gate and presently serves as the location of the Split City Museum.

This Late Gothic palace was erected in the mid-15th century by the Split Papalić family, who assigned the construction work to George of Dalmatia and his workshop. It was a place that hosted the meeting of the Split Humanist Circle in its time. The palace features a beautifully decorated portal, loggia, a well, and an external staircase in the courtyard. Its large salon, painted ceiling, and four-light mullioned window on the first floor made it a model for all Split palaces in the second half of the 15th century.

Since its renovation in 1950, the Split City Museum has been housed in the Large Papalic Palace.

Address: Papalićeva Ulica 1, Split, 21000, Croatia.

The Temple of Jupiter was constructed from 295 to 305 AD as a part of Diocletian’s Palace. It was dedicated to Jupiter, the supreme Roman god and Diocletian’s divine father. The temple is situated in the western part of the imperial complex, near the Peristyle.

In the 6th century AD, the temple was transformed into the Baptistery of St. John the Baptist. A relief above the temple entrance depicts various gods and heroes, including Victoria, Triton, Helios, Hercules, Jupiter, and Apollo. The doorways are richly decorated, especially the impressive barrel-coffered vault of the temple.

Inside the temple are sarcophagi in which two Archbishops of Split, Ivan of Ravenna (died c. 10) and Lovre (died c. 1099), were buried. Additionally, a large bronze statue of St. John the Baptist was made by Ivan Maštroviae. A Renaissance sarcophagus of Jakov Selembrije from the 16th century is placed in front of the baptistry.

Address: Ul. Kraj Svetog Ivana 2, 21000, Split, Croatia

The Church of St. Roche, built in 1516, is a stunning example of Renaissance architecture. The church was constructed by converting a 13th-century Romanesque house, with the northern wall being kept intact. Additionally, a part of the colonnade of the portico of the Decumanus of Diocletian’s Palace has been integrated into the southern wall of the church.

Address: Poljana kraljice Jelene, 21000, Split, Croatia

The Venetian Tower, also known as Mletački kaštel, has a regular octagonal floor plan with dimensions of 10.5 x 10.5 meters and a total height of 24 meters. The tower has four floors connected with a staircase located within the thickness of the walls. The walls themselves are vaulted with stone blocks. The ground floor is considered the first due to its elevated position. The first floor has a tufa barrel vault, and the other floors have similar vaults, except for the third floor, which has a wooden structure.

At the top of the tower was another cantilevered floor called a mashikul, but only the triple consoles remain today. Between 1549 and 1570, the tented roof was removed to install artillery on the terrace, which dominated the town.

Address: Trg Braće Radić 6, 21000, Split, Croatia

The Silver Gate, also known as the Eastern Gate of Diocletian’s Palace, was dedicated to St. Apollinaire, a venerated saint of the Early Christian era. The sentry corridor above the gate was converted into a church in the 6th century, following the same pattern as the northern and western gates of the Palace. However, the gate and the wall structure were later incorporated into other buildings.

In the early 1950s, the Silver Gate was rediscovered, and an effort was made to restore it to its original form by excavating it to the original level. During this restoration, various structures added to the eastern wall of the Palace in previous centuries were removed.

Address: Hrvojeva, 21000, Split, Croatia

The Ciprianis-Benedetti Palace, aka Cyprian’s Palace, was constructed in 1394 for Cipriano de Ciprianis, a nobleman from Split who governed Korčula on behalf of King Tvrtko of Bosnia. The Benedetti family acquired the palace in 1860.

The palace is notable for its sculptures and windows. The loggia-like upper level with double rows of six mullioned windows featuring Late Romanesque columns is particularly impressive. The mid-relief sculpture of St. Anthony the Hermit, standing under a narrow canopy, is also noteworthy.

Address: Marulićeva ul. 6, 21000, Split, Croatia

The Church of Our Lady of the Bell Tower (Gospa od Zvonika) has a fascinating history that dates back to the 6th century. It was constructed on the sentries’ walkway above the Iron Gate of Diocletian’s Palace and was initially devoted to Saint Theodore. An Early Romanesque bell tower was added in the 11th century, making it the oldest preserved bell tower on the Croatian side of the Adriatic.

During this period, the church received notable contributions from Firminus, a city benefactor, and his first and second wives, Magi and Brita. Fragments of a chancel screen with an inscription mentioning their names are notable remnants from this era. In the 13th century, the church was renamed after the installation of the icon of Our Lady of the Bell Tower, which is currently safeguarded in the treasury of Split Cathedral.

A Romanesque tower was constructed adjacent to the Iron Gate, facing the square (Pjaca). In the 16th century, a Romanesque municipal clock was installed in this tower, adding a touch of modernity to the ancient structure. The church and its surrounding elements serve as a testament to the rich historical and architectural heritage of the region.

Address: Ul. Ispod ure 2, 21000, Split, Croatia

The Cipci Palace aka the Grisogono – Cipci Palace is one of the most important buildings in the Old Town.

Address: Ul. Kralja Petra Kresimira IV 8, Split 21000, Croatia

The People’s Square, also known as Narodni Trg or Pjaca, is considered the center of the Old Town. This area is surrounded by cafes and restaurants where visitors can enjoy the view of the old town clock.

Address: 21000, Grad, Split, Croatia

The Old Town Hall is the only building of the original complex that remains after being demolished in 1825. The complex included the Rector’s Palace, the theatre, and the jail. The town hall was reconstructed in neo-Gothic style in 1890. Although most of the original architecture is lost, the portico on the main façade, the north wall, and the Chapel of St Lawrence (Lovro) remain today. The Chapel was built in 1455 as a bridge between the Town Hall and the Karepić Palace. From 1910 to 2005, the Ethnographic Museum was located in the Town Hall. Today, it serves as an exhibition venue.

Address: Narodni trg, 21000, Split, Croatia

Marmont Street is a picturesque street located between the Croatian National Theater and Riva. It was named after General Marmont, one of Napoleon’s commanders who occupied Split in the past. However, despite his role as an occupier, the people of Split still hold him in high regard due to his significant contribution to the city’s architecture.

Address: Marmontova ul. 5, 21000, Split, Croatia

Republic Square, also known as Prokurative, is a well-known square located in Split, Croatia. The square was designed by Marmont and can be found near the end of Marmont’s Street and the St. Francis Monastery on Riva. It is situated to the west of Riva and has a similar feel to St. Mark’s Square in Venice. The square is named after the arches on the neo-Renaissance buildings that surround it on three sides. 

The south side of the square is open, offering a stunning view of the harbor and waterfront. The building of Prokurativa began in the mid-19th century when Antonio Bajamonti, one of the city’s most esteemed mayors, initiated the project. The colonnade was inspired by Venetian architecture, and the reliefs above the windows are reminiscent of ancient and Renaissance influences. 

Prokurative is a popular venue for cultural events, particularly the pop music festival. The square’s local bars and restaurants make it a popular hangout spot for the citizens of Split. The plateau on the south side is an essential part of Prokurative and features a neoclassical fountain that was destroyed by communist authorities in 1947 due to its alleged connection to Italian rule over Split and Dalmatia.

Address: Prokurative, Trg Republike, Croatia

The Milesi Palace (Palača Milesi) is an 18th-century palace built in the Baroque style by the Milesi family. After the family became urban patricians, they constructed the palace. The palace has round openings for shops on its main facade and a Renaissance portal on its western facade. The grandeur of the palace’s elevation and dramatic position on the square make it stand out from other Baroque palaces in Split and Dalmatia. Currently, the palace serves as the home for the Split section of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts.

Address: Trg Braće Radić 7, 21000, Split, Croatia

The Iron Gate, also referred to as the “Western Gate,” is one of the four main Roman gates that lead to the stari grad of Split. The stari grad was once Diocletian’s Palace. Originally, the Iron Gate was used as a military entrance to the complex. However, it is the only gate that has been in continuous use up to the present day.

Address: Ul. Ispod ure, 21000, Split, Croatia

The Church and Monastery of St. Francis has a 13th-century cloister and houses the tomb of Croatian author Marko Marulić.

Address: Trg Franje Tuđmana 1, 21000, Split, Croatia.

The area where the Diocletian’s Palace’s triclinium and residential section once stood was later converted into a convent for the Split Poor Clares during the 15th century, and it remained so until 1884. This complex is of great historical significance and has been thoroughly explored, revealing exceptional historical stratigraphy.

Today, the site houses the Ethnographic Museum, which showcases parts of a Romanesque street, the Chapel of St. Andrew de Fenestris, the Palace of King Ladislav of Naples, the palace of the noble Božlčević (or Natalis) family, and other features from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Address: Ul. Iza Vestibula 4, 21000, Split, Croatia

In 1069, a Benedictine monastery was constructed outside the northern walls of Split. This Catholic convent was later named after St. Arnir, who served as an Archbishop of Split before being stoned to death in 1180. Unfortunately, the complex was destroyed by a catastrophic fire in 1888. However, the 18th-century bell tower and a small chapel are the only surviving structures from the original building that remain standing today, as the rest of the complex was demolished in 1945.

Address: Ul. kralja Tomislava 15, 21000, Split, Croatia

Gregory of Nin (Grgur Ninski) was a medieval bishop who advocated for Slavic worship and is considered a national hero in Croatia. The statue of Gregory of Nin is located near the Golden Gate entrance and is a masterpiece of Ivan Mestrovic, the most renowned Croatian sculptor.

Address: Ul. kralja Tomislava 12, 21000, Splitska, Croatia

Address: Hrvojeva 2, 21000, Split, Croatia

The Pavlovic Palace (Palača Pavlović) is a Renaissance palace owned by a prominent Split patrician family during the 16th century. Later on, during the Baroque period, the palace was expanded and gained a closed courtyard and portal in the western part. The main façade was also remodeled during that time. The palace is of great importance in terms of town planning as it forms the southern façade of the main city square, Pjaca.

Address: Palača Pavlović, Narodni trg, 21000, Split, Croatia

Marko Marulić, a prominent poet from the 15th century, is recognized as the “Father of Croatian Literature.” A statue of Marulić, crafted by Ivan Meštrović, can be found at Fruit Square, which stands as a testament to the cultural and literary influence in Split. Marulić was also associated with the Humanist movement during his time and is considered the first person to use the Croatian language in literature. As a result, many believe that he played a significant role in the Croatian Renaissance.

Address: Trg Braće Radić 5, 21000, Split, Croatia

Address: Narodni trg 3, 21000, Split, Croatia

The Toplice KBC Split (Sumporne Toplice) was built in 1903 by Kamilo Tončić. This building is an important example of Croatian Art Nouveau architecture, featuring beautifully decorated exteriors and interiors. Additionally, the structure is situated on top of natural sulfur springs that have been used for their healing properties since the 18th century.

Address: Neretvanska ul., 21000, Split, Croatia

If you’re still on the fence after reading about the X best things to see, check out “Is Split Worth Visiting.” We review a long list of factors you should consider before reserving a room and booking your flight.

Split Old Town is small and easily walkable. If you have limited time, we suggest visiting the recommended sites in the following order:

• • Bell Tower of St. Arnir
  • Statue of Gregory of Nin
  • Golden Gate
  • Large Papalic Palace
  • Silver Gate
  • Dominican Church and Monastery of St. Catherine of Alexandria
  • Church of St. Roch
  • Cipci Palace
  • Cathedral of St. Domnius
  • Split Peristyle
  • Jupiter’s Temple
  • Vestibule
  • Convent of the Poor Clares of St. Nicholas
  • Diocletian’s Cellars
  • Split Riva
  • Venetian Tower
  • Marko Marulic Statue
  • Milesi Palace
  • Ciprianis-Benedetti Palace
  • Iron Gate
  • Church of Our Lady of the Bell Tower
  • People’s Square
  • Old Town Hall
  • Pavlovic Palace
  • Nakic Palace
  • Marmont’s Street
  • Sulphur Spa
  • Republic Square
  • Church and Monastery of St. Francis

Following the suggested route, you will visit all 29 of the best things to see in Split. The tour will take about 2 hours to complete. This allows time to stop for photos and take a peak inside the churches but does not include any museum visits.

Our suggested Split Walking Tour starts outside the Golden Gate, explores the sights of Diocletian’s Palace, strolls down the eastern end of the Riva, winds through the cobbled stone streets of the Old Town, then heads down the main shopping street, and ends at the western end of the Riva.

If you are planning a trip to Split, there are plenty of excellent places to stay. However, for the best experience, we strongly recommend staying in the Old Town. The castle marker on the map below is the heart of the Old Town. We suggest staying as close to it as possible, depending on your budget and preferences.

The below interactive map provides hotel and apartment options that can be filtered to meet your needs. Select your travel dates to get specific availability and prices.

Book your stay now!

The ideal number of days for your Split trip depends on your preferences and plans. If you want to explore the city’s historical center, including Diocletian’s Palace and the surrounding attractions, you would need at least two days. This would give you ample time to stroll through the narrow streets, visit museums, and soak in the lively atmosphere of Split.

If you also plan to explore the surrounding area, such as nearby islands like Hvar and Brač or the picturesque town of Trogir, it would be best to add a couple more days to your itinerary. This would allow you to take day trips to these stunning locations and enjoy the beautiful beaches or indulge in water sports activities.

If you want a well-rounded experience without feeling rushed or overwhelmed by too many activities, a three- to four-day trip would be sufficient to explore Split’s historical wonders.

Split has relatively moderate prices compared to other popular European cities. Although it may not be as budget-friendly as some Balkan countries, it still provides good value for money. Accommodation and dining options in Split can range from affordable to luxurious, depending on your preferences and budget. Furthermore, visiting during the off-peak season can help you find better deals and discounts. Overall, planning and making wise choices makes it possible to enjoy your time in Split without overspending.

Split is generally considered a safe and welcoming city for tourists. Like any other popular destination, it is always advisable to take standard precautions to ensure your safety. Keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded areas, and be aware of your surroundings. Staying in well-lit and populated areas is also a good idea, particularly at night.

Yes, renting a car and driving around Split and the rest of Croatia is extremely safe and easy. For rental cars and price comparisons of international and local brands, we recommend Discover Cars.

No, speaking the local Croatian language is not needed to visit Split. A very large percentage of locals speak English.

The time of the year with good weather and fewer crowds is often called the shoulder season. The shoulder season in Split is April thru May and late- September thru October. For many, this is the best time of the year to visit.

Split is a popular tourist destination that can get busy during the summer months. July and August can get exceptionally crowded.

Split is located in the Dalmatia region of Croatia.

Split has an airport with connecting flights all over Europe. You can get from Split Airport to the Old Town by bus, taxi, or private transfer.

To schedule a taxi or private transfer in advance, we recommend GetTransfer.

Your Split packing list should include sunscreen, shoes good for walking cobblestones, and stretchy pants to accommodate wine-drinking and seafood-eating.

Do you need cellular data during your trip and don’t want to pay for roaming? We use eSIMs from Airalo during our travel and highly recommend them. They are cheap, easy to set up, and allow you to leave your primary sim card in your phone (so you don’t loose it). Click below for more info.

Split is located in the Dalmatia region of Croatia. The city is spread over a large peninsula jutting out from the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea.